NM Medicaid Overhaul Approved

The federal government has approved a plan by Gov. Susana Martinez's administration for revamping Medicaid, which provides health care for a fourth of the state's population.

The Human Services Department announced Monday that President Barack Obama's administration had given a green light to the state to implement changes starting next year to try to slow the rising costs of the program while improving health care for needy New Mexicans.

There will be no cuts in enrollments or rates paid to health care providers.

But much like in private insurance plans, Medicaid recipients will face "co-pays" for some services, including if they go to an emergency room for routine medical care or use a brand name drug when a generic drug is available.